Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts, 8-String, Set Pickup
The Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts capture articulate, controlled aggression across extended-range instruments with minimal noise floor and transparent gain staging. These active 8-string pickups are engineered to deliver clarity in drop-tuned tracking applications without sacrificing dynamic response or headroom in the mix. The matched neck and bridge voicings translate modern metal and progressive material with precision in the recording chain.
Electronics & Noise Performance
Built on a 9V active topology with a differential preamp design, these pickups achieve exceptional noise rejection—measuring -97dBV (neck) and -96dBV (bridge)—ensuring clean signal transmission even at high gain settings during overdubs. The 0.65V RMS average output and 2.60V RMS peak output provide substantial headroom while maintaining tight articulation through the mixing console, with preamp distortion holding to 0.003% THD @ 1V.
Frequency Response & Installation
The neck pickup centers at 700Hz resonance while the bridge sits at 650Hz, delivering distinct tonal characters across the range without muddiness in dense sessions. Direct retrofit design for 8-string electrics includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware; the integrated battery lasts approximately 1420 hours of typical use, with low current draw of 350 micro-amperes.
Key Features
- 9V active pickup configuration with balanced differential preamp
- Neck resonance: 700Hz; Bridge resonance: 650Hz
- Average output voltage: 0.65V RMS; Maximum output: 2.60V RMS
- Noise floor: -97dBV (neck), -96dBV (bridge)
- Preamp gain: 16dB (neck), 18dB (bridge)
- Preamp THD @ 1V: 0.003%
- Output impedance: 1K Ohm
- Current consumption: 350 micro-amperes
- Battery life: Approximately 1420 hours
- Includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware
- Direct retrofit for 8-string electric guitars
The AHB-1s Blackouts combine low-noise electronics with predictable output staging, establishing a reliable foundation for extended-range tracking and layering in demanding studio applications.
